‘The Last of Us’ Recap: I Hope You Do a Little Better Than Me

May 18, 2025May 19, 2025 Mike Manalo

Oh my goodness. I can’t imagine there being a dry eye in the house after this emotional, beautiful episode of The Last of Us.

It’s good to see Joel again and get more about him despite his untimely demise early this season. We even get to see Pedro Pascal’s name and his silhouette at the end of the opening credits. If you were a fan of the games, you knew where this episode was going. However, surprise, surprise, we get some really great stuff that was exclusive for the show.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Discussing Death and Blood with the Directors and Cast of ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’

May 16, 2025 Mike Manalo

Death is a funny thing. Not so much “ha-ha” funny as it is “mysterious” funny. It’s also terrifying, gory, and nasty. And no series of films better encapsulates this sentiment better than the Final Destination franchise! Recently, we were given the great opportunity to witness the latest installment, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and speak with directors Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky, and cast members Richard Harmon, Anna Lore, and Owen Patrick Joyner about the latest gruesome and gory chapter in this legendary saga.

Horror, Interview, Movies1 Comment

Talking Pinoy Power with the Stars of ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’

May 14, 2025May 14, 2025 Mike Manalo

I’m proud to be Filipino. While I believe representation in film and television has been much better in recent years, you’d be hard pressed to find many major studio franchises centered on Filipino families or characters, let alone long-running horror franchises. Which is why I got really excited when I saw Final Destination: Bloodlines was centered on a mixed Filipino family! That meant the world to me, as did getting a chance to speak with the stars that brought that family to life: Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, and Rya Kihlstedt.

Horror, Music, Video Games3 Comments

‘The Last of Us’ Just Featured a Pearl Jam Song, Time Paradox Ensues

May 12, 2025May 12, 2025 Keith Chow

It’s been well documented on this site that I’m not much of a gamer. It’s is also well documented that I am a huge and unabashed Pearl Jam fan. Those two facts about me collided during last night’s viewing of the most recent episode of The Last of Us on HBO.

Horror, Recaps, Video Games2 Comments

‘The Last of Us’ Recap: An Airborne Nightmare

May 11, 2025May 12, 2025 Mike Manalo

Seattle: Day Two has begun, and The Last of Us Season 2 is progressing at an even faster pace than I could have imagined from the game. Dina and Ellie are one step closer to finding Abby; however, Ellie finds herself one step closer to losing her soul. All this and more on this week’s The Last of Us.

Horror, Recaps, Video Games2 Comments

‘The Last of Us’ Recap: Take On Me

May 4, 2025May 5, 2025 Mike Manalo

Ellie and Dina have officially reached Seattle. However, almost insurmountable challenges in Ellie’s quest for vengeance present themselves, as the WLFs have taken over the city. Chief among them, a new threat (in the form of a familiar fan-favorite actor) emerges. All this, plus a very emotional and soulful callback, and more in this week’s The Last of Us.

Horror, Movies

Terrifying Trailer for ‘Weapons’ is Unleashed

April 29, 2025April 29, 2025 Mike Manalo

Who needs coffee when you have a nice cup of “WTF” horror to wake you up (at 2:17 am)! Weapons is the latest from Barbarian director and Companion producer, Zach Cregger. And after weeks of teases, we finally got a trailer. Good luck sleeping ever again!

Horror, Recaps, Video Games4 Comments

‘The Last of Us’ Recap: The Aftermath of Tragedy Looms on Jackson

April 27, 2025April 28, 2025 Mike Manalo

At the time of writing this, a large portion of the world has bonded over the collective trauma of seeing the first two harrowing episodes of The Last of Us Season 2. The train has officially left the station, and there’s no going back. Which means by now, everyone on it already knows that zero punches are getting pulled, and every blow is about to land right in the gut.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Culture, Music, and Makeup with Delroy Lindo, Omar Miller, and Li Jun Li from ‘Sinners’

April 17, 2025 Mike Manalo

You cannot deny that few people have done as much for POC cinema as the collective talents of Director Ryan Coogler, screen legend Delroy Lindo, and incredible actors Omar Miller and Li Jun Li. Coogler has changed every genre he’s touched, from superhero movies to horror films, by adding deeper social meanings that honor Black and POC culture to all of them.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Three Minutes with ‘Sinners’ Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and Wunmi Mosaku

April 15, 2025April 15, 2025 Mike Manalo

The Sinners are coming this week, and it’s hands down the best movie of the year so far! Director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther) never misses! Once more, he’s teamed up with Michael B. Jordan to bring us a stunning horror masterpiece with deeper themes. However, Jordan is not alone. Coogler has assembled an amazing ensemble of actors to bring this amazing piece of survival horror to life, including A-listers Hailee Steinfeld and Wunmi Mosaku.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Dropping the Mic with the Cast and Crew of ‘Drop’ at the Red Carpet Premiere

April 11, 2025 Mike Manalo

Drop is now out in theaters! It’s one of the most fun in-theater experiences I’ve had this year, and I encourage everyone who hasn’t seen it yet to absolutely grab the popcorn, and go enjoy the ride. We were fortunate enough to attend the incredible evening of the film’s premiere where we got to speak with the terrific cast and producers of the film. Here’s what they had to say about the new Blumhouse thriller!

Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Sinners’ is a Profound Masterpiece of Survival Horror!

April 10, 2025April 26, 2025 Mike Manalo

There’s room in this world for all sorts of horror, be it schlock or awe. For every Exorcist there’s a Paranormal Activity. For every Fly there’s a Re-Animator. And for every Halloween there’s a Terrifier. They all can exist without conflict for every horror fan to embrace. However, when horror is made by storytellers that get it, love it, but have much more to say than “Ooh! Look! Blood!” that’s how masterpieces are born, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is one such film: a profound masterpiece of survival horror!

Horror, Movies1 Comment

The Philippou Brothers Talk to Us About Their New A24 Horror Film ‘Bring Her Back’

March 31, 2025May 5, 2025 Mike Manalo

There’s no greater victory in this fickle industry than seeing truly gifted storytellers and actors showing audiences of unpredictable taste everywhere that amazing movies can still be made. Back in July of 2023 Danny and Michael Philippou, a twin duo of horror short filmmakers known on YouTube as RackaRacka, did just that with their breakout hit, Talk to Me.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Jason Blum Talks ‘Drop,’ ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,’ and Blumhouse’s Biggest Year

March 24, 2025March 25, 2025 Sophia Soto

While covering NYCC 2024, I caught up with the founder and CEO of Blumhouse, Jason Blum. We discussed the company’s many exciting projects that are coming up this year, including The Woman in the Yard on March 28, Drop dropping on April 11, M3GAN 2.0 premiering June 27, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 out December 5.

Horror, Reviews

Winnie Cheung Creates an Unforgettable Creature Thriller with ‘Last Call’

March 10, 2025March 10, 2025 Edward Hong

I’m a huge fan of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, and if there’s one area of North American filmmaking I hardly see many talents of Asian descent in, it’s in genre. But with the creature body thriller Last Call now just having its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Midnight Short Program on Sunday, March 9, writer & director Winnie Cheung created one hell of a mark as a visionary filmmaker to look out for with this incredible short film that is an homage to David Cronenberg, David Lynch, and Wong Kar-wai while creating an indelible unique stamp of her own.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Making ‘The Monkey’ Shine with Cinematographer Nico Aguilar

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 Mike Manalo

Death is a really hard topic for all of us to grasp. Often it’s understandably met with trepidation, repulsion, and obvious sorrow. However, cinematographer Nico Aguilar is an expert in finding and capturing the beauty in death. His film, The Monkey, written and directed by Longlegs auteur, Osgood Perkins, is one such film that tackles the difficult subject matter of death with some dark levity, and, oddly enough thanks to Aguilar, a surprising amount of beauty and depth.

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Companion’ Director Drew Hancock Discusses Directing His First Film

January 31, 2025 Mike Manalo

The smart, hilarious, sci-fi satire Companion is officially hitting theaters this week! And this one is hands down one of the best surprises I’ve seen in theaters in recent years. To celebrate we were given the tremendous opportunity to discuss the film with its stars, Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, as well as cast members Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri. Now today, we’re pleased to bring you all our conversation with the writer and director of the film, himself, Drew Hancock!

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Companion’ Stars Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri Tackle Twisted Relationships

January 30, 2025January 31, 2025 Mike Manalo

Earlier this week, we were able to chat with the incredible Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid to discuss their wicked new film, Companion. The film, which comes out this Friday, succeeds as a sharp and hilarious takedown of toxic masculinity and abusive relationships. And while the story admittedly centers on Thatcher and her iconic character, Iris, it takes a terrific ensemble to help the movie reach the true levels of brilliance and comedy it ultimately achieves. Enter the terrific trio of Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi2 Comments

The Sensational Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid Converse about ‘Companion’

January 29, 2025 Mike Manalo

Valentine’s Day kicks off early this year with the best kind of rom-com coming out this Friday: a bloody horror comedy. The genre-defying, brilliant and twisted Companion, which I loved, is finally hitting theaters! Anchoring this terrific takedown of toxic masculinity and abusive relationships are the charming Jack Quaid, and one of the best breakout actresses working in the industry today, the sensational Sophie Thatcher!

Horror, Movies

Director Ryan Coogler Takes Us Inside the Newest Trailer for ‘Sinners’

January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 Mike Manalo

The impact director Ryan Coogler has had on Black cinema over the past few years is undeniable. From his debut film, Fruitvale Station to shattering records and making cinematic history with Black Panther, Coogler has not only demonstrated his incredible talents as a writer and director, but also showcased that he is one of the most prolific, game changing filmmakers working today. This April, he’s going to do it one more time, with his first horror feature, Sinners.

Horror, Movies, Reviews12 Comments

NOC Review: ‘Presence’ Weaves a Very Familiar Ghost Story

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025 Mike Manalo

The idea of seeing things from the perspective of those who have passed is not a new or innovative concept. From movies like David Lowery’s A Ghost Story to Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lovely Bones, we’ve experienced narratives of tragedy told from the POV of the ghosts acting as protagonists in these stories. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that despite its attempts to liven up the trope, a lot of the notes that director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp hit in Presence are ones that are well trodden.

Horror, Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi2 Comments

NOC Review: You’re Not Prepared for ‘Companion’

January 22, 2025January 16, 2025 Mike Manalo

I know it’s been less than a month since 2025 started, but I’m calling it right now: Companion is already going to be one of my favorite movies this year. As of writing this, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this one twice already, and I honestly feel like I could see it many more times and still enjoy every minute of it. It’s brilliant, twisted and wickedly funny.

Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Wolf Man’ is a Successful Reinvention of a Horror Icon

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025 Mike Manalo

As long as Universal Pictures has been around, there have been monsters. Through the ages, the Universal Monsters have been terrifying audiences, making their way into the annals of cinematic history as icons.